Download the Costa Rica Flyer Here!

Twelve Americans with disabilities ages 18 - 24 will be exploring Costa Rica and participating in an exciting cross-cultural and cross-disability exchange program! They will become ambassadors of disability pride by sharing cross-cultural disability perspectives with members of the local the community! Delegates will be developing leadership skills, building self-confidence, making friends, and learning Spanish! Delegates will experience Costa Rican culture, food and customs by living with a host family!

MIUSA strives to organize programs that include people with and without disabilities and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. First time travelers with disabilities who are from a cultural minority and of low socioeconomic status are included every year. MIUSA exchange programs are inclusive of people who are Deaf and hard of hearing, or have cognitive, visual, physical, mental health-related, systemic, non-apparent, or other types of disabilities.

• ASL staff interpreters are provided by MIUSA for the duration of the program.
• Materials in alternative formats are provided for all scheduled program activities.
• Personal assistant funding may be available to assist participants who need personal assistance during the program.

PROGRAM DETAILS

When: June 26 – July 10, 2009

Where: San Jose, Costa Rica

Program Cost: $1,100, which includes: round-trip international airfare from US city of departure to San Jose, Costa Rica; one-night hotel in US city of departure; lodging; meals and activities.  Program cost does not cover participants’ airfare to the US city of departure or personal spending money.  Accepted participants are required to pay a minimum of $220 towards the program fee.

Scholarships: Generous partial scholarships available to qualified applicants.

Participants must be excited about new experiences, a once in a lifetime adventure and tolerant of the challenges brought on by a new cultural environment and inconsistent accessibility.  Participants are expected to act as positive and respectful citizen ambassadors of the United States and must be committed to work across cultural and other differences to promote intercultural understanding.  Participants must show previous leadership experience, positive communication skills and be committed to disability rights.

Participants must be:

• U.S. citizens
• Ages 18 – 24 by summer 2009

Costa Rica slideshow transcript

Related Information and Resources

Articles about MIUSA's Costa Rica Program

• See how one Deaf delegate learned LESCO and connected with the deaf community. Hear how a Native American wheelchair user connected with her host family in Costa Rica. Read about these experiences by clicking here.

• Discover how 15 delegates changed their world perspective and the activities abroad they participated in during the MIUSA Costa Rica program by clicking here.
  

• Learn how going far away helped one MIUSA alumnus get closer to who she is. Read about the personal benefits of the MIUSA Costa Rica program by clicking here.
  

Learn about Cost Rica!

• Cultural, geographical, historical and general travel information as well as disability organizations and international exchange programs in this gem of Central America.

MIUSA Alumni Share their Success Stories

• Read stories from individuals and professional staff about disability and exchange joys, challenges, and tips!

Scholarship Resource Links

• SYTA Youth Foundation
• NCDE Funding Lists

• Air Travel Tips
• Medications
• Mobility Disabilities
• Personal Assistant
• Power Wheelchair 
• Travel Equipment Tipsheet

Past Sponsors:

The 2008 US/Costa Rica: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disability Rights Leadership Exchange Program is funded by the New York Community Trust DeWitt Wallace/Youth Travel Enrichment Fund, established in Community Funds by the co-founder of The Reader's Digest Association. For the past fourteen years, MIUSA has received the generous support of the DeWitt Wallace/Youth Travel Enrichment Fund, established by the founder of The Reader's Digest Association, to provide an educational travel opportunity to young adults with disabilities from diverse communities.